Abstract: A process of applying and drying a liquid lubricant on a metallic material to be mechanically worked has the steps of passing a metallic material through a coating container with a lubricant so that the lubricant coats the metallic material and the latter exits from the coating container through an opening, removing the superfluous portion of the lubricant without contacting the same with outside air, and advancing the lubricant coated metallic material through a drying channel in which air is urged in disturbed state. An arrangement for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An improved process for cold mechanical working of metallic materials is disclosed, in which a lubricant containing salts of carboxylic acids with more than ten, and preferably 15 to 20, carbon atoms. The lubricant also contains at least one organic solvent with a boiling point below 200.degree. C., and preferably at least one organic solvent with a boiling point below 30.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, tensides are added to reduce surface tension. The lubricant combines the advantages of solid and liquid lubricants, and permits the cold mechanical working of materials with high tensile strength.